June 13, 2022
In the areas surrounding Yaw Chaung in Pakokku and Shwe Pyu townships of Magway Region, over 30,000 residents have reportedly fled their homes since June 8 due to the military’s aggressive advances into local villages. Residents have shared that the military, with over 200 troops, has begun to invade the villages along the banks of Yaw Chaung, engaging in looting and destruction of property.
“Since June 8, the military has been targeting villages on both sides of Yaw Chaung. On that day, a troop of over 200 soldiers moved from Pakokku to the southern side, invading villages like Tan Kyi, East Kampha, U Yin Su, Day Pya, Zyang, and Myit Pha. Another unit from Shwe Pyu has been attacking villages including Htamauk, Noun Bone, Than Pyar Pin, Salauk, West Kampha, Bhe Kyaw, Kyar Bay, Kyar Kwe, Nyang Gwe, and Inkan. There are more than 200 troops involved, and they have split into smaller units attacking various locations, including Pat Taung, Kyauk Gyi, and Taung Pyu,” a local resident reported.
As the military continues to invade the villages, there have been reports of arrests, confiscation of phones, arson, and widespread looting of civilian property. “The troops are arresting villagers and brutally interrogating them. They confiscate phones and loot valuable items whenever they invade a village. In Day Pya village, they set fire to homes, and they loot everything of value, including gold and electronics. If they don’t find anything, they destroy the houses,” the resident added.
On June 10, while one military unit was attacking, another group of troops arrived from the rear, taking control of Taung Pya and Kampha villages. They loaded all the goods they could find onto vehicles and set fire to houses they targeted. Approximately 30 houses in the East Kampha area were burned, and the entire village of Taung Pya suffered similar destruction,” said a source from the region.
The military junta’s 22nd battalion has also been involved in similar operations under the guise of “clearing operations” in the villages of Pakokku and Shwe Pyu.
